Have you ever felt brushed off by a healthcare provider?
Like you’re speaking a foreign language no one there seems to understand?
It’s frustrating, right?
Seriously, I get it - it's still wild to me that so many professionals roll their eyes at the idea of nutrition or sunlight being crucial for autoimmune or digestive issues.
I once had a doctor tell me "no" when I asked if what I ate might help my ulcerative colitis - an autoimmune condition in my digestive tract - like it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.
I remember leaving that office feeling like I had to find a new practitioner.
And I've never had a provider overseeing my condition test my vitamin D even though it’s literally in every guideline.
Crazy, right?
So what about skipping breakfast as you frantically get your kids out the door for school… or that super-late dinner you barely manage after work?
Then there's how often you sleep, how well you move, whether you ever soak up a little sunlight?
Or the air you’re breathing, the water you’re drinking, the products you’re slathering on your skin—even your emotions and social connections?
And yet - if these things even get acknowledged - we're told real change is impossible.
Eating more vegetables or exercising 30 minutes a day, you say?
No, no, no.
We should trust in the mighty pharmaceutical or a complex procedure.
Why are so many practitioners still trained to prescribe pills first and ask lifestyle questions never?
Makes you wonder—who’s really looking out for us?
Which brings me to…
Why the Old Way is Failing and What’s Better
So how did we get to a point where popping pills feels normal, but eating more greens or fiber is "impossible"?
Because if you're like most people, you're simply doing what everyone else is doing.
And that my dear friend, is taking a prescription drug for your chronic condition without addressing root causes.
Really it's no wonder why it's the norm that most people follow.
Because let’s be real: most professionals are trained to dish out prescriptions, not give you meal plans or habit-change tips. It’s not evil—just the system.
They know pharmaceuticals or procedures. That's their main toolkit.
And as a patient or client, you're expected to nod along to the expert.
This leaves you stuck with superficial band-aids, feeling like you’re the weird ones if you say, "Hey, maybe I should eat or do something differently?"
Here’s the kicker: if women keep following this broken system, a female born in 2019 could spend 60% of her life on prescription meds.
That’s just mind-boggling.
But it's the truth: if you keep doing what everyone else does, you’ll keep getting the same old mediocre results.
When I see that stat, I think about my daughter and her friends. I can’t bear the thought that they’ll grow up feeling they’re doomed to rely on a handful of meds.
There has to be a better way.
This doesn't have to be my daughter's story. Or your story, your daughter's story, or your niece's story.
You don’t have to settle.
I remember feeling exactly like you might right now—unsure if real change was even possible. But guess what? It is. And it starts with uncovering the "why" of your symptoms.
The silver lining?
Some practitioners truly get it—yes, they do exist.
You can discover the “why” behind your symptoms, and use practical changes—like eating differently or tweaking daily habits—to finally see real results.
Because you deserve real relief, not just a patch job.
The consequence of ignoring root causes
Think of it this way: if you ignore your nutrition, lifestyle, and daily habits, it’s like painting over mold—sure, it looks okay at first, but the issue is still growing underneath and will eventually seep through.
And I bet you’ve felt that pattern—a moment of relief, then the symptoms return.
It’s draining, right?
You get a flicker of relief, then—bam—flare-ups sneak back like a cruel cycle wrecking your plans.
Most importantly, you think about the future. The truth is those underlying physiological imbalances will still be there. And you're still at risk of developing other symptoms and chronic illnesses down the road.
Who wants to accept that fate?
I sure didn’t.
Luckily, there’s a different path.
The Benefits of Addressing Your Root Causes
Imagine: no more cancelling lunch with friends because your gut acts up—or not feeling like you need three naps a day just to survive.
When you nail down your root causes, you can:
Prevent Symptom Recurrence: Stop flare-ups from boomeranging back.
Stop the Chronic Condition Spiral: Tackle underlying issues before they lead to more diagnoses and a long list of meds.
Narrow Your Focus: Instead of trying 8 gazillion tips, zero in on what truly fits your life.
When you know what’s really going on, suddenly you have options—real, doable ones.
That’s when you’re firmly in the driver’s seat—ready to steer your health in the direction it deserves.
The 10 Common Root Causes
Alright, so where do you even start?
Let’s talk about 10 root causes that might be messing with your gut and fueling autoimmunity.
All are factors you have some power to change.
(And none of which require you to be perfect, by the way.)
1. Lack of Nutrient-Dense, Whole Foods
Why it matters: Our cells and gut microbes thrive on quality fuel.
Look, I rely on takeout as much as the next busy mom.
But you can’t thrive on highly-processed, low nutrient stuff 24/7. (Hint: the dose matters!)
It’s no secret that what you eat (and don't eat) plays a huge role in gut and immune health.
But, some days it feels like the universe is conspiring to keep you from eating anything fresh. Your days become busier and busier. And convenience foods high in refined carbs and added sugars get easier and easier to grab.
The more you choose these foods, the more you shortchange your cells and the trillions of microbes in your gut that influence your digestive-immune balance.
2. Restrictive Eating
Why it matters: Banishing entire food groups might backfire and starve your microbiome.
It’s one thing to eat too many processed foods, but what if you hardly eat anything at all?
If your gut is in pain, eating less can feel like the only option. I’ve definitely been there—I once survived on a list of just 15 foods for three months!
And while that might soothe symptoms short-term, it can backfire. It's a tough dance.
Restrictive diets are often recommended as a therapy to calm and heal the digestive and immune system.
But, because our culture is so weight-obsessed, it’s easy to slip into disordered patterns—sometimes without even realizing.
These diets often come with increased stress, food anxiety, and even social isolation.
And when you're already in a nutrient deficit, further restriction to calm your symptoms can lead to greater nutrient gaps, compromised digestion and immunity, reduced gut diversity, and even more food sensitivity.
3. Unmanaged Stress
Why it matters: Constant stress flips your body into fight-or-flight.
Even the best diet can’t compensate if your stress levels are constantly through the roof.
Kids, job, relationships, money, watching the news—no wonder our gut freaks out.
Chronic stress - a daily reality for every mom I know - disrupts digestion, gut balance, and immune tolerance.
It’s like adding fuel to the fire.
Left unchecked, it creates a vicious cycle of anxiety and digestive discomfort.
4. Infections
Why it matters: Hidden intruders can sabotage your gut’s balance.
Stress isn’t the only invisible culprit—some issues come from outside invaders you never see coming.
When I was pregnant with my first child, a colonoscopy from my doc indicated I was having a flare-up of my ulcerative colitis.
But it turned out I actually had amoebas.
I remember feeling oddly relieved—at least there was a reason behind my symptoms.
Sometimes, persistent gut issues may be rooted in actual infections — whether from travel, food, or a dip in your body's defenses against invaders.
Infections can upset your gut bacteria and digestive rhythm, so if your symptoms persist, a check-up to rule out an infection can be an important step to take.
5. Medications
Why it matters: Drugs can deplete nutrients and upset your gut’s bacterial ecosystem.
Once you rule out infections, there’s another sneaky factor: the very pills you take to feel better.
If you've ever seen a pharmaceutical commercial or opened a medication packet, you've seen the long list of side effects of drugs.
Many common drugs are known to deplete nutrients and alter beneficial bacteria which results in those unintended side effects on our guts.
Of course, I never advise stopping necessary meds, but I recommend you speak with a healthcare provider to understand any impacts of your meds on your nutrients and gut function.
6. Poor Sleep
Why it matters: Skimping on rest hinders healing.
Sleep is a powerful healer—yet too many of us sacrifice it for work, family, exercise, or destressing activities like binge watching Netflix, scrolling on social media, or drinking alcohol.
Poor sleep can upset your body’s natural rhythms and even change your gut bacteria and immune cells (for the worse).
Prioritizing quality sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for a resilient gut and overall wellness.
(I've written more about sleep here especially for mom's or others who might not have as much control over it as you wish you could.)
7. Too Little Movement
Why it matters: A sedentary routine can weaken your digestion, microbiome, and immune response.
When I last worked in a 9-5 office job, I left at 6:15am, commuted by car, and sat most of the day.
That daily grind left me exhausted, and time for movement was a stretch if I was also spending time with my kids or cooking dinner.
And when I'm in a flare-up with lower levels of energy, I have even less desire to move.
But it is an important component to boost your internal balance by promoting healing, a diverse microbial community, and better digestion.
8. Health Anxiety and Overthinking
Why it matters: Constant worry fuels stress more gut and immune flare-ups.
If lack of movement can strain your gut, so can spinning your wheels with constant overthinking.
Worry over every bite or symptom is very common and is often the product of the situation as well as a driver too. Quite the conundrum.
Many of you might fall into the trap of obsessing over what you eat and how your body reacts.
This hypervigilance not only fuels stress but can even lead to more restrictive eating habits.
9. Environmental Exposures
Why it matters: Everyday exposures can destabilize your gut-immune balance.
Another factor you want to be mindful of - but not over-obsess about - are the invisible compounds and pollutants you live with each day.
When I lived in India - where most days the air quality readings were above World Health Organization (WHO) recommended particulate exposure, I knew this was a contributor to my persistent flare-up that was not responding to medication.
Everyday exposures—from the air you breath, the pesticides in your food, and the cleaning products in your home—can quietly (or not so quietly, depending on the dose!) add up and affect your gut and immunity.
While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all exposures - and worse to get caught up in obsessing over them (see #8), being mindful of your exposure and supporting your body with antioxidant-rich, detoxification supporting foods can help mitigate these effects.
10. Changing Life Stages
Why it matters: Hormonal changes with age can shift how your gut (and immune system) behave.
Now let’s switch gears from the outside world to the changes our own bodies naturally go through.
As I get older, I am mindful that what I need to do right now for my gut and immune system is not the same as it was when I was 25.
You see, your gut health isn’t static; it evolves as you do. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, menopause, or even as you age can change how your digestive-immune harmony works.
Recognizing these natural transitions and adapting your self-care routines accordingly is crucial. It’s about working with your body’s changing needs, not against them.
Ok, that about covers the 10 biggies.
Sound overwhelming?
Don’t panic—this is just a menu, not a must-do list.
Like a restaurant menu, you wouldn’t order every dish—you’d pick what suits your taste (and your gut!).
Just tackling one or two can spark meaningful change - and then, watch the ripple effect.
(Hint: they're all really interconnected as are most things in your body and life.)
Now, are you ready to put these insights into action?
Let’s take it one step at a time—starting with a quick look at how to find your biggest root cause.
Questions to Spark Change (Without Overwhelm)
Feeling a bit lost?
Here are a few questions to guide you—no pressure, just friendly prompts.
Observe & Reflect
A little self-awareness can reveal hidden patterns and shine a light on your unique needs.
What was going on in your life before your symptoms appeared?
Which parts of your daily routine might be fueling your symptoms?
What makes you feel better, and what makes you feel worse?
Which of the 10 root causes might be the ‘mold under the paint’ you’re covering up with quick fixes?
What one or two areas would make the biggest impact for you?
Take Action & Adjust
Here’s where you turn insight into real-life wins.
What’s one realistic, tiny step you're ready to take this week?
What might get in the way of success—and how can you plan around it?
What would success look like, and how will you track it?
What becomes possible if you succeed—how would your daily life improve?
Who can you lean on—friends, family, a supportive provider, or an online community—for support and accountability?
Remember, you don’t have to tackle it all at once.
Even the smallest effort in one area can lead to progress over time.
✨Final Thoughts
Lasting change doesn’t come from a magic fix—it grows from understanding your root causes and making small, meaningful steps that fit your life.
Each tweak you try can add up more than you think, so start with one question, one root cause, and see how it feels.
When your daily actions align with who you want to be, good health stops being a distant goal and becomes part of who you are.
I’m right here, cheering you on, and I’ll share more strategies soon.
Thank you for reading, friend.
Until next time,
April
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